Uzhgorod, Ukraine - A criminal case has been opened today against Uzhhorod mayor Serhiy Ratushniak – on fomentation of international dissention. The prosecutors charged a Ukrainian mayor with inciting ethnic hatred after complaints were filed by Jewish groups.

He was charged with hooliganism, abuse of office and the violation of the racial and national equality of citizens, after allegedly using viciously anti-Semetic rhetoric and beating an agitator for one of the leading presidential candidates, who has an ethnically Jewish background.

President of the All-Ukrainian Jewish Congress Vadym Rabinovych sent the letter to the law enforcement agencies and asked to control movement of Uzhhorod mayor Serhiy Ratushniak, (as was reported at that time here on VIN News). The head of the Congress explained: it is necessary to prevent mayor’s escape from the country.

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On August 6 in center of Uzhhorod mayor Serhiy Ratushniak beat the girl, agitator of Front of changes. But on the next day Serhiy Ratushniak claimed the girl attacked him herself.

Militia opened the criminal case in connection with the statement of student that Uzhhorod mayor Serhiy Ratushniak inflicted her bodily injuries.

Later Serhiy Ratushniak characterized the activity of leader of Front of changes Arseniy Yatsenyuk in the sternly way: “Jew Yatsenyuk became impudent. He served thieves being in power successfully. He is trying to become President of Ukraine on criminals’ money. May be, Yatsenyuk decided it will be elections in rural council in Israel. But so long as Ukraine exists and law exists, Jew Yatsenyuk will not be engaged into spontaneous actions”.

Ratushniak claimed in an interview with Publichnye lyudi that he does not consider his words insulting addressed to MP, leader of Front of changes, candidate for presidency Arseniy Yatsenyuk when he called him “impudent Jew”.

The well-known businessman, president of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine Ihor Kolomoysky claimed in an interview, “Crude anti-Semite position of Ratushniak makes no surprise. But I am surprised by fact that such person is a mayor of the city which is a stronghold of good neighbouring relations between people of different nationalities”.

MP Arseniy Yatsenyuk called on all political forces to demand institution of prosecution against Uzhhorod mayor Serhiy Ratushniak for fomentation of international enmity.